Linebacker Shirley, kicked out of UCLA, enrolls at UW

Josh Shirley, a highly touted linebacker and defensive end who was dismissed from UCLA last month after being arrested in connection with a purse theft, will join the University of Washington football team when fall practice starts Aug. 8.

“We are very aware of the circumstances surrounding Josh,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a news release. “We have done our due diligence and truly feel that this is not indicative of his true character or the way that he was raised. We are excited about the opportunity Josh has to excel on the football field, in the classroom and in his personal life in our environment, around our people at the University of Washington.”

Sarkisian said Shirley has signed a financial aid package.

Shirley, an incoming freshman, played at Kaiser High School in Fontana, Calif., where he was named the defensive MVP of the Sunkist League and co-defensive player of the year of the CIF Southern Section Eastern Division.

On June 23, he was one of three Bruins recruits arrested by UCLA police on suspicion of stealing a purse. The case was referred to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for possible misdemeanor charges.

All three recruits were released from their letters of intent. The other players involved were wide receiver Paul Richardson and cornerback Shaquille Richardson.

“The three young men know they made a terrible mistake,” UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel said in a news release at the time. “We expect our players to behave a certain way and there are consequences when they don’t. Paul, Shaquille and Josh are paying a steep price for their lapse in judgment. They will not be allowed to enroll in school this fall and will not have the opportunity to begin their UCLA academic and athletic careers.”

Shirley, a four-star recruit, visited Washington last year before choosing UCLA. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Butkus Award semifinalist could compete for playing time at linebacker immediately.